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A boss of Domino's Pizza Group who proposed the UK might have hit pizza saturation while expanding the franchise into chicken products has been replaced after tensions with its directors.

Executive Shake-Up

Rennie is leaving after just two years in the top role, and will be replaced on an interim basis by the organization's operations head, Nicola Frampton, while the pizza giant looks for a long-term chief.

Rennie, who served at the company for more than two decades, had aimed to shift Britain's biggest pizza food delivery firm towards chicken offerings, stating in a recent interview there was not “huge potential” left in the British pizza industry. He noted poultry was the quickest rising protein in the world.

Governance Disagreements

Reports indicate that there was tension between Rennie and the directors over his focus and business vision, although Domino's official statement said he was stepping down “through mutual consent”.

Recent Product Introduction

In the autumn, the chain launched its chicken-focused brand – which the former chief called a “bold new chapter” for the company – and is trialling it in select stores in the North West region and the province.

While the firm is still going to roll it out across its extensive network in the coming year as planned, it views chicken products as an addition to its primary pizza operations.

Leadership Comment

Ian Bull, the company chair, said: “The board believes that there are a series of prospects to drive further growth and performance improvement in our primary operations. We are concentrating on identifying the right chief executive to oversee the disciplined execution of that expansion plan.”

Market Challenges

Recently, the pizza delivery giant, which has 13 million customers in the British Isles, said transactions dipped by one and a half percent in the third quarter. In August, it warned that the takeaway market had “intensified” as it attributed economic uncertainty in the run-up to the budget and increasing labor expenses for disappointing revenue and a 15% drop in six-month income.

Rival chains are also experiencing difficulties. Pizza Hut disclosed the shutting of 68 restaurants a last month, after the company behind its British operations faced financial collapse.

Wellness Initiatives

Responding to market shifts towards balanced diets, the company has introduced lower-calorie items, such as its Thin & Crispy selection of pizzas below 400 calories as well as plant-based and allergy-friendly options. A big pepperoni bake has over 2,300 kcal. A family cheese pizza has over 2,100, while a personal has 909 calories.

Interim Management

The interim chief has been with the company since the recent past, and was formerly with the betting firm William Hill. It is thought that she prefers not to occupy the chief executive role on a full-time basis.

She said: “We have a several active expansion and efficiency programs that we will be concentrating on carrying out at pace.”

She said these involved further work on the company's logistics network and product development, and its loyalty scheme.

The pizza chain is also without a long-term finance director until the spring, when a new appointee starts from the drinks company a well-known firm. Until then, Richard Snow is temporary CFO.